Removable freewheeling resilient cover for rotary anvil

ABSTRACT

This is a freewheeling resilient rotary diecutting anvil cover comprising a flexible member of one or multiple pieces releasably secured together along a generally axial line or lines including one or more annular ribs on the inner surface for disposition in annular grooves in the cylindrical supporting base in which at least the portions of the rib or ribs leading to the releasable connection or connections are of split T-cross section and collapsible to relieve binding and to permit installation and removal from a head, or the like, without removing the head. In a modification, a cover lengthened by use can be cut to smaller size. Another modification employs a metal plate or plates to reduce lengthening.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Louis E. Sauer;

Robert W. Sauer, St. Louis, Mo. [2 l Appl. No. 816,657 [22] Filed Apr. 16, 1969 [45] Patented May 4, 1971 [73] Assignee Centenary Central, Inc.

St. Louis, Mo.

[54] REMOVABLE FREEWHEELING RESILIENT Primary ExaminerFrank T. Yost Attomey- Kingsland, Rogers, Ezell, Eilers & Robbins ABSTRACT: This is a freewheeling resilient rotary diecutting anvil cover comprising a fiexibie member of one or multiple pieces releasably secured together along a generally axial line or lines including one or more annular ribs on the inner surface for disposition in annular grooves in the cylindrical supporting base in which at least the portions of the rib or ribs leading to the releasable connection or connections are of split T-cross section and collapsible to relieve binding and to permit installation and removal from a head, or the like, without removing the head. In a modification, a cover lengthened by use can be cut to smaller size. Another modification employs a metal plate or plates to reduce lengthening. v

REMOVABLE FREEWHEELING RESILIENT COVER FOR ROTARY ANV IL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the rotary diecutting art, and more particularly to an improved freewheeling rotary anvil cover used in the cutting of corrugated boxes, and the like, which is an improvement over structures like that shown in the applicant Sauers copending application Ser. ,No. 660,321, filed Aug. 14, 1967, now US. Pat. No. 3,522,754.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the rotary diecutting art, rotary anvil constructions employ covers of resilient material, such as rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, and the like, against which the cutting rule works. Freewheeling covers have been employed to spread the effect of the cutting rule knives over the cover surface. The present novel structure not only relates to such freewheeling resilient covers, but to such covers which can be mounted upon and stripped from the anvil head without dismounting the same, yet will be firmly retained in operative position on the anvil head or grooved shaft against tearing off by the cutting knives, even against such action by knives which have been set too deep. The only pertinent prior art with which the applicant is familiar is his own structure disclosed in his above-mentioned pending application Ser. No. 660,321.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief, the present novel resilient anvil cover includes one or more pieces secured in position upon an anvil head by interlocking lugs and recesses and against both axial and radial movement by annular interengaging ribs and grooves, the rib or ribs including collapsible portions of split T cross section contributing to maintenance of freewheeling, even against severe cutting by diecutting knives or blades, and to installation on and removal from a head without removing the latter from its support. Structure is provided to compensate for lengthening of the cover and to reduce lengthening.

Therefore, objects of the present invention are to provide a novel freewheeling flexible cover for a rotary anvil head as aforesaid which is an acceptable commercial solution to the present binding and tearing loose problem existing in freewheeling flexible anvil covers of this type, which is of sturdy and long-wearing construction adapted to further increase the already long life of a freewheeling anvil cover, which can be readily applied to and removed from the anvil head without removal of the head from its supporting shaft yet will remain in place against poorly set overcutting and tearing rotary die knives, which is constructed for compensation of cover lengthening, which may include means to substantially eliminate lengthening, and which otherwise fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description take with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a rotary anvil including a resilient cover constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, a portion of the cover being broken away for illustration of detail;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the rotary anvil of FIG. 1, portions being broken away for illustration of detail;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the rotary anvil of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an axial radial cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary transverse cross-sectional views taken on substantially the lines 5-5 and 6-6, respectively,ofFIG. 1E

lil ..i

FIGS. 7 and 8 are axial radial cross-sectional views taken on substantially the lines 7-7 and 8-8 of FIG. 2, said lines 7-7 and 8-8 having the same relationship to the cover shown by lines 7-7 and 8-8 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 9 is a view of the inner side of a resilient cover section stretched flat, a central portion being cut away for conservation of space;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the flattened cover of FIG. 9, looking from left to right;

FIG. 11 is an end elevation of the flattened cover of FIG. 9, looking from right to left;

FIG. 12 is a transverse, vertical cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 12-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top plan view on a smaller scale showing a modified split-line joint;

FIG. 14 is an axial radial cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 14-14 of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2 of a rotary anvil in which the resilient cover has thin plates bonded to the interior diameter.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, there is illustrated a rotary anvil 20 including an anvil head 22 of two interlocked sections 24 and 26, each having annular grooves 27 of T-cross section. Mounted on the anvil head 22 is a resilient cover 28 comprising two interlocked sections 30 and 32 of identical construction. The sections 30 and 32 are of resilient polyurethane, or other suitable material. Each cover section 30 and 32 has two annular ribs 34 of similar cross section, each rib 34 including a central portion 36 of generally rectangular cross section, FIG. 8, and a section 38 at each end of split beveled T-configuration, FIG. 7. A groove 40 splits the T-cross section end portions, so that either segment of the T can collapse to allow assembly of the cover on the anvil and to reduce binding in the expected long life of the cover 28. The end portions 38 may extend for several inches.

The invention also contemplates a cover including a rib or ribs 34 of split T-cross section running the full inner diameter.

At one end of each of the cover sections 30 and 32 are alternating lugs 42 and recesses 44 and at the other end altemating lugs 44 shaped to engagein the recesses 44 and recesses 42' shaped to receive the lugs 42, as is clearly shown in the drawings. End edges 46 of the lugs 42 and 44 are convex and inner edges 48 of the recesses 42' and 44' are concave. A transition from convex to concave occurs about midway between ends 46 and inner edges 48.

It is clear that the end portions 38 will collapse to permit ready installation and removal of the cover 28 without remov- 1 ing the head 22. The construction of the anvil cover 28 substantially eliminates binding since the central portions 36 of the ribs 34 bottom in the grooves 27, and the portions 38, while of a cross section to retain the interlocked lugs 42 and 44 of the cover segments 30 and 32 against being torn loose from the grooves 27 by improperly deep set knives in the resulting excessive cutting action which ensues from such setting, will collapse to relieve pressure.

While the cover 28 has been disclosed applied to an anvil head, the cover 28 can be applied to and removed from a solid shaft having suitable annular T-grooves and the like. Additionally, the cover 28 can be applied to andremoved from an anvil clamped to a shaft by split line bolts, being removed when it is necessary to get to the belts.

In FIGS. 13 and 14 is shown a modified split-line joint which is useful with resilient cover material having a tendency to lengthen or grow under some usages. Alternating lugs 52 and recesses 54 at one end of each cover section 30 and 32 interfit with alternating lugs 54 and recesses 52' at the other end or corresponding end of an adjacent section, as is clearly illustrated. The lugs 52 and 54 having straight sides and ends can be cut off at the ends as the cover grows in use without changing the operative relationship.

In FIG. 15, a thin elongated flexible steel plate 56 is bonded by any suitable cement or in casting to the inner side of each section 30 and 32 between the ribs 34. Narrower similar plates 58 are bonded axially outwardly of the ribs 34. The plates 56 and 58 retain their original lengths and substantially retard or reduce lengthening of resilient cover sections 30 and 32 in use. The invention contemplates use of any suitable material for the plates 56 and 58. The illustrated plates 56 and 58 cover the entire inner diameter of each cover section 30 and 32, but for some resilient materials, the plates 56 and 58 may be segmental and spaced annularly in any selected pattern. Other variations of plates may be employed and the plate or plates may be cast interiorly of the cover sections.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

We claim:

1. A cover for a rotary anvil comprising at least one elongated resilient flexible sheet adapted to be mounted on a rotary anvil for relative free annular movement therebetween, at least one annular rib on the inner side of said sheet adapted to engage in an annular circumferential groove of substantially inverted T-cross section in an anvil, said rib being of a cross section at least in the area of engaging sheet ends which, when in an inverted T-groove, strongly resists radial movement outwardly of that portion in the area of engaging sheet ends of the cover from an anvil on which it is mounted yet yields to permit substantially radial mounting of said portion of the cover on and its removal from an anvil without removing the anvil from its support.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said rib cross section having resistance to radial removal is a collapsible split-T permitting said removal and mounting of the cover on an anvil having an annular groove of inverted T-cross section.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which the free ends of said flexible sheet include intermeshing fingers, said fingers formed to permit severing of end portions to compensate for lengthening of said flexible sheet in use.

4. The combination of claim 2 in which the free ends of said flexible sheet include interlocking fingers resisting centrifugal loss of the cover from an anvil.

5. The combination of claim 1 in which the free ends of said flexible sheet include intermeshing fingers, said fingers formed to permit severing of end portions to compensate for lengthening of said flexible sheet in use.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which thin substantially nonstretchable plates are bonded to the bottom of said flexible sheet for substantially preventing elongation of said flexible sheet in use.

7. The combination of claim 1 in which thin substantially nonstretchable plates are bonded to the bottom of said flexible sheet for substantially preventing elongation of said flexible sheet in use.

8. A rotary anvil for use in rotary diecutting of paperboard comprising, in combination, an annular base, at least one annular groove in the periphery of said base of substantially inverted T-cross section, a cover comprising at least one elongated resilient flexible sheet mounted on said base for relative free annular movement therebetween, at least one annular rib on the inner side of said sheet engaged in said annular groove of said base, said rib being of a cross section at least in the area of engaging sheet ends which strongly resists radial movement outwardly of that portion in the area of engaging sheet ends of the cover from the base yet yields to permit substantially radial mounting of said portion of the cover on and its removal from said base without removing the anvil from its support.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which said rib cross section having resistance to radial removal is a collapsible split-T, permitting said removal and mounting of the cover on said base.

10. The combination of claim 9 in which the free ends of said flexible sheet include intermeshing fingers, said fingers being formed to permit severing of end portions to compensate for lengthening of said flexible sheet in use.

11. The combination of claim 8 and including thin substantially nonstretchable plates bonded to the bottom of said flexible sheet substantially preventing spreading of said flexible sheet in use.

12. A cover for a rotary anvil comprising at least one elongated resilient flexible sheet adapted to be mounted on a rotary anvil for relative free annular movement therebetween, at least one annular rib on the inner side of said sheet adapted to engage in an annular circumferential groove of substantially inverted T-cross section in an anvil, said rib being of a cross section at least in the area of engaging sheet ends which, when in an inverted T-groove, strongly resists radial movement outwardly of the cover from an anvil on which it is mounted yet permits mounting of the cover on and its removal from an anvil without removing the anvil from its support, the free ends of said flexible sheet including interlocking fingers resisting centrifugal loss of the cover from an anvil.

13. A rotary anvil for use in rotary diecutting of paperboard comprising, in combination, an annular base, at least one annular groove in the periphery of said base of substantially invetted T-cross section, a cover comprising at least one elongated resilient flexible sheet mounted on said base for relative free annular movement therebetween, at least one annular rib on the inner side of said sheet engaged in said annular groove of said base, said rib being of a cross section at least in the area of engaging sheet ends which strongly resists radial movement outwardly of the cover from the base yet permits mounting of the cover on and its removal from said base without removing the anvil from its support, the free ends of said flexible sheet including intermeshing fingers, said fingers being formed to permit severing of end portions to compensate for lengthening of said flexible sheet in use. 

1. A cover for a rotary anvil comprising at least one elongated resilient flexible sheet adapted to be mounted on a rotary anvil for relative free annular movement therebetween, at least one annular rib on the inner side of said sheet adapted to engage in an annular circumferential groove of substantially inverted Tcross section in an anvil, said rib being of a cross section at least in the area of engaging sheet ends which, when in an inverted T-groove, strongly resists radial movement outwardly of that portion in the area of engaging sheet ends of the cover from an anvil on which it is mounted yet yields to permit substantially radial mounting of said portion of the cover on and its removal from an anvil without removing the anvil from its support.
 2. The combination of claim 1 in which said rib cross section having resistance to radial removal is a collapsible split-T permitting said removal and mounting of the cover on an anvil having an annular groove of inverted T-cross section.
 3. The combination of claim 2 in which the free ends of said flexible sheet include intermeshing fingers, said fingers formed to permit severing of end portions to compensate for lengthening of said flexible sheet in use.
 4. The combination of claim 2 in which the free ends of said flexible sheet include interlocking fingers resisting centrifugal loss of the cover from an anvil.
 5. The combination of claim 1 in which the free ends of said flexible sheet include intermeshing fingers, said fingers formed to permit severing of end portions to compensate for lengthening of said flexible sheEt in use.
 6. The combination of claim 5 in which thin substantially nonstretchable plates are bonded to the bottom of said flexible sheet for substantially preventing elongation of said flexible sheet in use.
 7. The combination of claim 1 in which thin substantially nonstretchable plates are bonded to the bottom of said flexible sheet for substantially preventing elongation of said flexible sheet in use.
 8. A rotary anvil for use in rotary diecutting of paperboard comprising, in combination, an annular base, at least one annular groove in the periphery of said base of substantially inverted T-cross section, a cover comprising at least one elongated resilient flexible sheet mounted on said base for relative free annular movement therebetween, at least one annular rib on the inner side of said sheet engaged in said annular groove of said base, said rib being of a cross section at least in the area of engaging sheet ends which strongly resists radial movement outwardly of that portion in the area of engaging sheet ends of the cover from the base yet yields to permit substantially radial mounting of said portion of the cover on and its removal from said base without removing the anvil from its support.
 9. The combination of claim 8 in which said rib cross section having resistance to radial removal is a collapsible split-T, permitting said removal and mounting of the cover on said base.
 10. The combination of claim 9 in which the free ends of said flexible sheet include intermeshing fingers, said fingers being formed to permit severing of end portions to compensate for lengthening of said flexible sheet in use.
 11. The combination of claim 8 and including thin substantially nonstretchable plates bonded to the bottom of said flexible sheet substantially preventing spreading of said flexible sheet in use.
 12. A cover for a rotary anvil comprising at least one elongated resilient flexible sheet adapted to be mounted on a rotary anvil for relative free annular movement therebetween, at least one annular rib on the inner side of said sheet adapted to engage in an annular circumferential groove of substantially inverted T-cross section in an anvil, said rib being of a cross section at least in the area of engaging sheet ends which, when in an inverted T-groove, strongly resists radial movement outwardly of the cover from an anvil on which it is mounted yet permits mounting of the cover on and its removal from an anvil without removing the anvil from its support, the free ends of said flexible sheet including interlocking fingers resisting centrifugal loss of the cover from an anvil.
 13. A rotary anvil for use in rotary diecutting of paperboard comprising, in combination, an annular base, at least one annular groove in the periphery of said base of substantially inverted T-cross section, a cover comprising at least one elongated resilient flexible sheet mounted on said base for relative free annular movement therebetween, at least one annular rib on the inner side of said sheet engaged in said annular groove of said base, said rib being of a cross section at least in the area of engaging sheet ends which strongly resists radial movement outwardly of the cover from the base yet permits mounting of the cover on and its removal from said base without removing the anvil from its support, the free ends of said flexible sheet including intermeshing fingers, said fingers being formed to permit severing of end portions to compensate for lengthening of said flexible sheet in use. 